Research Interests

Cox has been conducting hydraulic engineering research for more than ten years and
has completed over 45 research projects. Her experience includes physical hydraulic
modeling of river systems, channel rehabilitation structures, bridge pier scour, and
outlet works. Additionally, Cox has extensive research experience with erosion control
countermeasures including riprap revetment, articulated concrete block revetment systems,
rock-filled gabions mattresses, concrete-filled cellular systems, and vegetated and
non-vegetated turf reinforcement mats. Her dissertation was entitled “Moment stability
analysis method for determining safety factors for articulated concrete blocks” and
provided a design method for articulated concrete block systems. Cox’s broad experience
relating to hydraulic modeling includes studies of in-stream rehabilitation structures
funded by the Bureau of Reclamation. Her Master’s thesis was on evaluating hydraulics
of cross-vane, w-weir, and bendway weir in-stream flow control structures including
energy losses, scour and structure stability in a mobile-bed channel. Additional river
engineering studies of interest by Dr. Cox include a physical modeling study funded
by the Army Corps of Engineers that evaluated artificial substrate for White Sturgeon
spawning habitat in the Kootenai River, a large-scale physical model study of sloped-rock
weirs to evaluate rock sizing, and two physical model studies to evaluate sedimentation
near a pump intake on the Sacramento River. In addition to river engineering studies,
Cox has researched stormwater hydraulic structures including curb and gutter drainage
inlets, highway median drainage inlets, and an ellipse-shaped detention-pond weir
outlet. She also evaluated hydraulics associated with stormwater roof-drain water-quality
treatment systems and permeable pavers, conducted water-quality tests of rolled sediment
retention devices for stormwater runoff, and collaborated with the U.S. Geological
Survey to conduct laboratory testing of a new stormwater sampling device.

River Engineering Structures – Hybrid hydraulic modeling, which couples physical modeling
with numerical simulations, is being used to evaluate the influence of varying design
parameters for in-stream rock structures on flow velocity and turbulence fields where
flow conditions are highly three-dimensional. Collaborating with the Bureau of Reclamation
Albuquerque Area Office and Colorado State University, computational fluid dynamic
(CFD) simulations are being calibrated with large-scale physical modeling data. Once
calibrated, the numerical models will be used to evaluate the influence of varying
structure design parameters, such as structure height, length, and orientation.

Urban Drainage Hydraulic Structures – An innovative detention-pond outlet structure
was designed by the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD) to address discharge,
pollution, and maintenance concerns. The elliptical sharp-crested weir was developed
for the purpose of decreasing time and cost associated with clearing debris following
storm events. This research is focused on developing a rating equation (relates the
volume of flow through the structure as a function of the water-surface elevation
at the structure) for the new structure and evaluating the behavior of varying types
of urban debris as they pass through the structure.

Erosion Control Technologies – Many human impacts disturb the natural protection of
land from stormwater-induced erosion such as urbanization and farming. Several technologies
are available to provide protection from this erosion. Geotextiles are commonly used
for temporary protection at construction sites or permanent protection for stormwater
ephemeral drainage ways. Articulated concrete block (ACB) revetment systems are used
for lining channels and earthen dam spillways and levees. Research in this area focuses
on evaluating flow hydraulics related to the level of erosion protection to ultimately
be used for design purposes.